overheat when got stuck

The typical scenario is:
I drive 40 miles on highway, and it's OK.
I get off highway, and am stuck due to slow local traffic. Then i see temperature go high.
When I drive faster, the temp turns normal again.

Confused, seems like faster, cooler?

Yeah, sounds like you might be low on coolant and/or your radiator fan isn't working. Do you ever hear the fan come on?

the coolant is OK. But just have no idea how to check the fan... Is it suppose to running all the time when car has been started?

Double check the coolant.
1)Wait until the engine cools.
2)Take the cap off
3) Restart the car
4) When you car gets warm enough the water pump will kick on and watch the fluid, if it drops then add warm-hot water/antifreeze directly to the radiator

the waterpump should be flowing at all times as its belt driven... although when cold the thermostat will prevent most of the coolant from circulating. so, with the engine cold, top off your radiator and cap it and start the car. hold your revs to about 2500 RPM and watch your temp gauge, as it reaches normal operating temp you should hear your fan come on, if it doesnt and it starts to overheat, you may have a bad sensor or blown fuse.

:screwy:
Hi there. I have a friend who has the same problem as the guy above. He has changed everything and has no leaks. The mechanics have checked it and said it could be his head gasket. Does this sound right to you? It doen't to me. He has no knocking, no leaking of oil or water and I checked his spark plugs and no indication that the gasket has broken. His heater works, his air conditioning works, fans go on, changed his thermastat and new radiator. The only thing that hasn't been changed are the hoses. Don't know if this would make a difference because nothing is leaking. What else should I check on his car?

the waterpump should be flowing at all times as its belt driven... although when cold the thermostat will prevent most of the coolant from circulating. so, with the engine cold, top off your radiator and cap it and start the car. hold your revs to about 2500 RPM and watch your temp gauge, as it reaches normal operating temp you should hear your fan come on, if it doesnt and it starts to overheat, you may have a bad sensor or blown fuse.

unless your blowing some milky white clouds his head gasket would be fine. typically its as they said low coolant or the fans not coming on. im sure youd see a leak if there was one.

is your friends fan coming on?? if not it could be the temp sensor or the fan fuse

to check fan switch go to the thermostat housing find the temp switch\fan switch take the pigtail of and jump it fan should come on if so switch is bad